Machine for stretching and removing fence-wires



(NoModelL) .J. N. KILLOUGH.

MACHINE IOR STRETOHING AND REMOVING FENCE WIRES. No. 291,743." Patented Jan. 8, 1 884.

INVBNTOR BY MOM/w q TT'ORNEYS.

Users STATES JOHN N. KILLOUGH, OF AURORA, TEXAS.

MACHlNE FOR STRETCHING AND REMOVING FENCE-WIRES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 291,742 dated January 8, 1884.

(No model.)

To all whom, it may concern/.-

Be itknown that I, JOHN N. KILLoU on, of Aurora, in the county of Vise and State of Texas, have invented a new and Improved Ma chine for Stretching and Removing FencelVires, of which the following isa full, clear, and exact description.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, effective, and inexpensive machine for stretching the wires of fences along the fenceposts, and straining the wires taut while they are being fastened to the posts, and also for removing the wires from the posts when required, as in removing or resetting a fence.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a partly broken side elevation of my improvement as applied to use. Fig. 2 is a rear view, and Fig. 3 is a front View, thereof. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of the windlass and its ratchet-and-pawl device, and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the wirespools.

I make the base or support for the machin in the form of a sled, consisting of side runners, a, and end cross-pieces, b I), and by preference I lay a floor, 0, between these runners and cross-pieces, to serve as a carrier-platform for tools used about the machine, or for the spools of wire in laying a long stretch of fence.

The letter (1 represents side frames, consisting, preferably, of two inclined bars or planks, (1 d suitably fastened to each other at the top, and to the runners at their lower ends, and stayed above the sled by the cross-bar c. In notches f of side frames, d, which notches open, preferably, from the under side of the frames, and extend along about centrally of the width of the frame-bars, suitably for bearings, I support the shafts g, each adapted to receive two coils or spools, h, of barbed or other fence-wires i, the spools of wire being supported so that as the sled is drawn forward along the fence-posts j the wires i will be paid out or off from the spools h, so as to provide a four-wire fence, as in Fig. 1; or the number and arrangement of the spools 71. may vary to the height and style of the fence may require.

staples 1- or other suitable means.

I makethe spools h, as in Fig. 5, with ends of crossed pieces 71/, connected at the angles by bars or strips if, on which the wire is wound, one or both ends h being grooved or splined at It to receive a key, h, as in Fig. 3, which key also enters a groove in the spool-shaft for locking the spools to the shafts to rotate therewith.

To prevent undue slackness of the wiresi when first paid off from spools h, I fit the shafts g of the spools with a friction-brake device,

consisting, as shown, of a pair of jaws, k, piv-.

oted together and to the frame (I at Z, and have ing the screw on fitted at their free ends, so that when the jaws k are clamped on opposite sides of the shafts and preferably inside of heads formed on the ends of the shafts-by the action of the screw m, the spools will revolve to pay out the wires c only when the sled is drawn forward, thereby partially straining the fence-wires by the advance of the machine.

In the front frame-bars, d", I arrange the Windlass a, which has lever-arms 0, by which to turn it forcibly when the wires t; after being paid off from the spools h, are connected, one at a time, to the barrel portion a of the Windlass, from which arms 0 project. The Windlass has fixed to it the ratchet p, which. is engaged by a pawl, q, pivoted to frame (1 to prevent backslip of the strained wires prior to their secure fastening to the fence-posts by The por-' tion a of the windlass n is adapted to receive an empty wire-spool, h, on which loosened fence-wires may be wound by turning the crank s of the Windlass when removing a wire fence, the machine in this case being drawn wholly or partly by the tension of the winding wire.

The operation is as follows: The posts j be ing set, and the spools h adjusted to the sled, and the WllGSi secured to the end post, the machine is drawn along the fence-posts by horse or other power applied at the draft-connection t, and when the wires 1 have been fully paid off the spools h the wires are suitably connected to Windlass a and strained taut by working lever-handles 0, when the wires are secured to the posts by staples or otherwise, as desired. Stakes may be driven into ICU the ground behind the sled, to hold it from I been used on wheels and runners, and that moving back when straining up the wires. In removing a wire fence the operation is 6X' peditiously and conveniently performed by winding the loosened wires 011 the spool 71, fixed to Windlass n, as above described.

The details of construction may vary within the scope of my invention-as, for instance, the clamp-bars 70 may be fitted with a screw, m, at both ends, if desired, and the bearings for the spools in the frame may consist of suitable metallic sockets fixed to the frame (I; but the construction shown is at present preferred.

It is believed that my improved machine has material advantages as regards economy of time and labor in the construction, adjustment, and removal of wire fences of all descriptions, and the machine may be cheaply made, and is well calculated for durability in use.

I am aware that fence-wire stretchers have 1 they have been provided with windlasses, braces, spindles, reels, standards, streteherbars, and levers; but

Vhat I claim as new is 1. In a machine for stretching and removing fence-wires, the combination of the sled a b, frame d c, spool-carrying shafts g, brake device It Z m, windlass 01, carrying lever-arms 0, spool h, crank s, ratchet p, and pawl q, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination, with the shaft 9, spools h, and frame (I, of the jaws 7c, pivoted together, pivoted to the frame at Z, and provided with the screw in at their free ends, as and for the purpose specified.

JOHN N. KILLOUGH.

.Vitnesses:

L. l. LowRY, A. XV. KrLLoUGH. 

